Olympique de Marseille coach Marcelo Bielsa has looked to take the pressure off his players as the Classique at home to Paris Saint-Germain - which could have serious implications for OM's season - looms in ten days' time.

Despite the interest of Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain's highly rated Brazil defender Marquinhos has put pen to paper on a contract extension that will see him linked to the capital club until 2019.

Paris Saint-Germain's France international midfielder Blaise Matuidi has declared that he will still be at the capital club next season despite reported interest from across the Channel in the English Premier League.

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Kondogbia: 'I can and will improve'

Geoffrey Kondogbia has admitted he "can do a lot better" than he has for AS Monaco FC so far this season, but is confident he will come good.

The midfielder won his first senior cap for France in August's friendly in Belgium, but will play for his country's Under-21 side rather than Didier Deschamps' Les Bleus this week after not yet scaling the heights that convinced Monaco to pay Sevilla €20 million for him this summer.

"I think I can do a lot better. I try not to be too hard on myself, but I know that I can offer a lot more. In terms of the impact I make, how I'm playing, I'm usually a lot more at ease. With time, it'll get better," said the 20-year-old, who has played only five L1 matches for his new club.

"This period of adaptation, I had it when I arrived at Sevilla, so I'm not worried. I became a first-team regular and was playing well by the end of October, early November. I hope this time it'll be quicker."

Ranieri faith

Kondogbia's battle for a first-team place at the Stade Louis II will only intensify with the return of Jérémy Toulalan from an adductor injury. The summer arrival has, however, had a heart-to-heart with coach Claudio Ranieri during which the Italian assured Kondogbia he has faith in him, despite his underwhelming form to date.

"We've talked about it. He told me he was very calm about me. That he knew what I'm capable of, and that he had confidence in me," the recent Under-20 World Cup winner explained.

"I'm working for it, I'm doing all I can for it. I don't know how long it'll take for me to get back to my best level. I need to build understanding with my team-mates. But I'm confident, I'm aware of my qualities."